Stress Resiliency and Brain Agility through Sleep-Priorities-Passion-Empathy-Exercise-Diet Part VI

Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is an acclaimed keynote and kickoff speaker as well as "Motivational Humorist...Read More

This is a “diversity in unity” poem: each letter of the SPEED acronym has a somewhat different poetic style and structure yet provides a united pathway for stress resiliency and brain agility (for kids of all ages). If you missed the previous ones, you can check out the first one here (with links to the rest being added as a new one is published).

D is for Diet

“D” is for a healthy “Diet” Easier to sigh than try it. When it comes to how you eat? Do you yo-yo – famine or feast? Forever tied to your mood. The great divide: “bad or good” Followed by “should not” or “should.”

With that taunting voice inside An endless loop…no place to hide: Nonstop chocolate, salty chips Beer bellies and donut hips. (Tell me, is it still a surprise that Greasy fries and little bite lies Mean extra cheesy pizza thighs?)

Setting bounds on “must have” foods Brings up many funky moods. From sadness to on edge stress - “I feel deprived” state of madness. It’s tough to do what you oughta On your own without a mentor Battling an eating disorder.

Diet, diet Are you still abusing it? Will you do something about it? Would you rather die than try it?

To manage foods you crave Can you do a tearful wave? Grieve, “let go,” and then be brave Send “junk food” to an early grave.

Changing habits is no fun Have to be under the gun. “Letting go” is truly hard… Don’t wait for the firing squad!

Diet, diet When will you finally lose it? Will you ask for help about it? Would you rather die than try it?

My dad – daily eggs and ham Till that day…artery jam. Wasn’t just the eggs that broke A world collapsed in one stroke.

Muddled speech, blurry vision One more stroke…before religion. Most fats, salt, sugar got the whack… No more brain or plaque attacks!

“Disciplined Moderation” Do I have your full attention? Diet, diet…design your diet Still would rather die than try it?

*****

Diet By Design

Preamble: The Big Easy Die-It! Or Beware the Medical-Gastronomical Complex

Living in the Crescent City Home of poboys and beignets Oral orgy opportunity Cholesterol…Make my day!

The Big Easy artery party Endless Food Fests – wild and fey. To resist would be a pity:Laissez les bonnes temps roulez!

Naturally, N’Awlins dining All those famous restaurants. You are caught – coming and going As you loosen up your pants.

Alas, you may have little chance In “The Big Easy Paradox” For the Gumbo-Money Pot Way better than bonds and stocks: N’Awlins bars and eating spots… All owned by those cardio docs!

***

Dieting with Natural SPEED

A SPEED Preamble

We have come to our last letter… Consider this a final seed. Each letter must work together To truly live by Natural SPEED.

Healthy “Sleep” and “Priority” Must dance with “Passion” and “Empathy.” “Exercise and conscious “Diet” Complete the circle: Will you try it?

In times of strife, times of peace Don’t believe me, ask Matisse Times of peace, times of strife - Natural SPEED: “The Dance of Life!”

You can learn to eat “Brain Smart” A recipe for mind and heart. Do not wait till it’s too late But most of all… Add “food for thought” to your plate

Now add lots of fruits and berries Plums and raisins and those cherries. May prevent a heart attack So eat those berries – blue and black. Grapes and melons from the vine Can slow down mental decline. And diets rich in fruit fiber Seem to lower your blood pressure Also, may block prostate cancer. Satisfied with this answer?

Leafy Greens and Green Machines

Leafy greens and the “cabbage” patch As superfoods they are unmatched: Broccoli and collard greens Kale and spinach – green machines Not to mention cauliflower We are talking “cabbage power.” All these veggies, high in fiber Be regular…so much better! With vitamins like K and A Inflammation goes away. May also boost your memory And cancer may be kept at bay.

Going Nuts!

For most, nuts – a tasty snack But nuts are so much more than that. Go WACky over nuts…good news: Walnuts, Almonds, and Cashews. Walnuts are the way to go For increasing your blood flow. Daily almonds, for a fact Lower rates of heart attack. Almonds too, a post-meal win-win: Checks blood sugar and insulin. Cashews also a great foil Akin to heart-smart olive oil. Packed with phosphorous and copper Bones and teeth now strong and proper. (Are these nuts cavity stoppers?) And these nuts help nerves relax Why not have a “Safe Stress” pack. But don’t go crazy over nuts Think about those waists and butts. Just a handful at a time Eat with reason and with rhyme!

And a favorite final flourish Mix avocado and some hummus A slice of soy cheese…a real plus. Scoop of tuna or red salmon All atop an English Muffin. More than just a healthy option… Now your tummy is a-hummin!

Natural SPEED: Final Read

It seems like I’ve gone on for pages With SPEED for kids of all ages… Past time to end this “Shrink Rap” With final tips for you - “A firm ‘No’ a day keeps the ulcers away, and the hostilities too.” So to lessen daily woes, “Do know your limits; don’t limit your ‘No’s!”

Ponder this Stress Doc wit and wisdom Try to live it day after day: Burnout is not a sign of failureYou simply gave yourself away.

Remember, sometimes less is more And more is really less. Balance work and play, faith and love And, of course…Practice Safe Stress!

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